Gender awareness, equality should begin at home

November 28, 2022 46 Views No Comment

Gender campaign begins with inauguration of gender resource centre

Kohima, November 28 (MExN): A gender resource centre (GRC) was inaugurated at Jakhama RD Block in the office of the Japfüphi Women Livelihoods and Cooperative Society (JWLCS) on November 25 to mark the launch of nationwide gender campaign.

The campaign will go on till December 23 and focus on addressing gender-based violence and discrimination, a press informed.

The Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) organised the event which had participants from various stakeholder departments and organizations along with the community institution (federation) leaders and unit representatives.

Speaking at the function as guest speaker, Bendanglila, Jt Secretary, RD, stated that every woman has faced some form of gender based discrimination and violence in their lives akin to a global pandemic as it happens across the world. Pointing out that despite such physical and psychological injustice being meted out, women are still silent and would rather suffer than speak out for fear of stigma and other socially negative reactions where the victim is made to feel guilty.

The joint secretary stressed on the importance of acknowledging gender issues, and said awareness should begin in the family and as mothers and sisters, all must propagate the importance of gender sensitivity in the household itself.

Pointing out an important focus of Vision 2030 which is to achieve gender equality, she said the gender resource centre is a step towards achieving this goal. She further hoped the centre could be a hub for awareness creation, teaching women about schemes available, and address issues through support of stakeholders.

Delivering the keynote address, Imtimenla, Jt Secretary and Mission Director, NSRLM mentioned that in states where the GRC has been set up, the centre has helped countless women address issues and that the centre is a safe space for aggrieved women who wish to speak up against discrimination and violence, and seek support from the right agencies, the release stated.

Giving a brief outline of the GRC, Khriezovonuo Lhoungu, state programme manager, NSRLM said the centre is to be community owned and managed and therefore, the federation of SHG women need to take ownership and run the centre well while urging stakeholders to render continued support towards the community. She also informed that GRCs would eventually be set up in other blocks.

Reigning Miss Kohima, 2022 Diezenuo Chuzho gave a short speech where she said every society is now shifting focus towards a gender-just society and called upon the women to be voice for the voiceless. She said outwardly we may seem like a community that does not discriminate, but that there is conspicuous discrimination still happening and that people need to be more vocal so that victims are heard.

Officials of Women Helpline 181 Nagaland, Vekhwusalu Dawhuo and Lanuienla Imchen spoke to the gathering on women helpline 181 and schemes for women; legal entitlements and introduction to sexual harassment of women at workplace. They mentioned that they have received many calls pertaining to different kinds of crimes with women victims and how they have been networking with other departments and agencies to help the victims. They assured support to the centre whenever help is required for redressal of aggrieved.

The inaugural and launching programme was chaired by Kenivole Richa, program manager NSRLM with Bible reading and prayer by Sonei, EC member of JWLCS. Federation progress and updates was presented by Vilapranu Richa, Social Action Committee member while Sevonu Seletsu, finance secretary JWLCS spoke on expectations of women. President of the federation Neilakuonuo Livi expressed words of gratitude. All participants read out the gender pledge.

Meanwhile, GRCs from 13 states across the country including Nagaland was inaugurated by Giriraj Singh, Minister of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Government of India in an event held in New Delhi thereby officially launching the gender campaign.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/gender-awareness-equality-should-begin-at-home